Yesterday's Weapons Forums

Conventional wisdom has it Italy made no 8mm conversions during the war, but here's a 1941 Terni that hints otherwise.

While it actually proves nothing, there are some interesting points. Like the 4UT mark on the barrel.


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It's not a German mark - it's the Italian abbreviation for "4th Technical Office which maintained measurement standards. But why inspect something made after the war by speculators who were just after a fast profit? Again, it actually proves nothing.

Unlike the post war 8mm conversions, the bolt isn't marked with a large S. It readily takes an 8mm round though.


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Then, the stock is made of walnut which was largely extinct in Italy after the war. There wasn't much left in 1941, either.


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Here's an overall shot.


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I know of only one other 8mm conversion inspected at 4UT. It's owned by an advanced collector who believes it was made during the war as an experiment. I'll leave this here against further information. SW

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Slava Ukraini!!

interesting rifle , any guesses to explain the anomaly ?

I feel Terni arsenal did make a FEW 8mm conversions as an experiment. We know they made 50 in 8mm Breda caliber... ( I'm looking into legally importing one)

I'll keep looking for further evidence. SW


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Slava Ukraini!!

Best of luck in importing a gun. I hope it can still be done.

Best Regards,

Mark

It can be done - just expensive and takes a while. Like customs kept my 4 kilos of Belgian chocolate for quite a while. A friend in Italy is monitoring updates from Terni. He's planning to buy a 308 Garand or two. SW

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Slava Ukraini!!